If your body doesn’t have enough insulin or can’t use insulin to properly regulate blood sugar levels, you suffer from a condition called hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose. Diabetes is the most common cause of hyperglycemia, though other causes include pancreatitis, Cushing’s syndrome, some hormone-secreting tumors, pancreatic cancer, other severe illnesses, and certain medications.
Dealing with hyperglycemia can be difficult and exhausting. However, if left untreated, it can lead to complications that can be very dangerous and even fatal in some cases. Therefore, being knowledgeable about your condition and how to manage it in the right ways is key to living a normal and healthy life.
In addition to different medical treatments, consuming a healthy diet can help to normalize your blood sugar levels, as well as lower the risk for other complications. Below are a few tips for managing your hyperglycemia diet.
Pairing Foods
There are some foods that are higher in glucose, such as table sugar, fruit juice, and white flour. These foods can cause your blood sugar to rise faster and demand more insulin. Pairing these kinds of foods with other foods that are lower in glucose can help prevent the more sugar-rich foods from causing problems.
These low-glycemic foods include: whole grains, lean meats, eggs, nuts, cheese, and many vegetables. Some diabetic diets emphasize only low-glycemic foods; however, the most important thing to remember is portion control.
Balancing Plates
Using visual portion control when making your plate is also a helpful method for keeping your blood sugar in check. This requires you to fill at least half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables like green beans, cauliflower, and asparagus. For the other half, split your plate between one starchy food and one source of lean protein. The starchy food should usually be a complex carbohydrate, such as baked sweet potatoes, whole-wheat pasta, or wild rice.
Counting Carbohydrates
Knowing exactly how many carbohydrates you need can vary from person to person, so finding the right amount can require some experimentation. If you’re not sure where to start, a good meal usually ranges from about 45 to 60 grams of carbohydrates. You can then monitor how you feel afterwards and adjust your carb intake from there as needed.
Fifteen grams of carbohydrates might include: one piece of fresh fruit, one slice of bread, half a cup of oatmeal, or two small cookies. Don’t forget that a healthy diet also requires some proteins and fats.
Seeking Advice
Sometimes your doctor will recommend that you schedule an appointment with a dietician to set up medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for diabetes. MNT involves eating a variety of nutritious foods in moderate amounts and sticking to regular meal times. These foods are usually low in fat and calories, with an emphasis placed on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These kinds of diets will help you control your blood glucose levels while also managing your weight. Some argue that this kind of diet is the best eating plan for almost anyone.
